World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is an international day observed every February 4th to raise awareness about cancer, encourage its prevention, and mobilize action to address the global cancer epidemic. Cancer touches countless lives, and books about it can offer understanding, comfort, and hope. The following titles explore the many dimensions of cancer—its medical challenges, emotional journeys, and stories of resilience—from both patients and those who care for them.

Updated November 3, 2025
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Fond du Lac Public Library
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A fatal inheritance : how a family misfortune revealed a deadly medical mystery
Ingrassia, Lawrence
Paper Book
Nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Nonfiction Named a best book of the year by Amazon, NPR, and Kirkus Weaving his own moving family story with a sweeping history of cancer research, Lawrence Ingrassia delivers an intimate,...
The cancer journey : understanding diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and prevention
Nabhan, Chadi
Paper Book
A cancer diagnosis can change our lives and the lives of our loved ones in an instant. It leaves us seeking answers to myriad questions and searching for hope. In The Cancer Journey, Dr. Chadi Nabhan demystifies this complex disease and offers a compassionate guide to understanding your...
An exercise in uncertainty : a memoir of illness and hope
Gluck, Jonathan
Paper Book
In this thought-provoking memoir, an award-winning journalist explores the chaos, doubt, and search for meaning that come with staying one step ahead of cancer for decades. "An Exercise in Uncertainty has a powerful and restorative story to tell us. Jonathan Gluck's...
Cancer is complicated : and other unexpected lessons I've learned
Shearer, Clea
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Clea has always been a helper, and she's doing it again with this incredible book. She is sharing her cancer journey and helping you through yours. She will walk with you . . . holding your hand every step of the way." -Hoda Kotb A comforting,...
This ordinary stardust : a scientist's path from grief to wonder
Townsend, Alan R.
Paper Book
"[A] remarkable account of a shifting consciousness" - Publisher's Weekly, starred review "An extraordinary, powerful book" - David Quammen, author of The Heartbeat of the Wild and Breathless A compassionate exploration of...
How to lose your mother : a daughter's memoir
Jong-Fast, Molly
Paper Book
Instant New York Times Bestseller "With propulsive humor and perspective on her annus horribilis, Jong-Fast achieves the memoir's transformative work of alchemy, arming us all with lines so good you won't just want to underline them, you will want to cut them out to share." --...
All the way to the river : love, loss, and liberation
Gilbert, Elizabeth
Paper Book
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AN OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK "A delicious mashup of narrative that's by turns harrowing and healing." -People "Entertaining, insightful, wrenching ... punch-to-the-gut powerful." -The Washington Post
If tomorrow never comes
Ashley, Allison
Paper Book
Fate connects two people in life-changing ways in a deeply romantic and emotional novel about hope and second chances by the author of Would You Rather and The Roommate Pact. Uncertain of what tomorrow brings, Elliott Holland decides to live it up--on the eve of a stem...
What does it feel like? : a novel
Kinsella, Sophie
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK * From #1 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, an unforgettable story--by turns heartbreaking and life-affirming--of a renowned novelist facing a devastating diagnosis and learning to live and love anew. "The bravest book you'll read all...
Four weekends and a funeral.
Palmer, Ellie
Digital file
By the author of Anywhere With You, Ellie Palmer, this "cozy affirmation for introverts and homebodies" (Abby Jimenez) about a little white lie that spirals out of control is "the perfect romantic comedy" (Meredith Schorr). She found the right guy at the dead wrong time...
Maggie; or, a man and a woman walk into a bar
Yee, Katie
Paper Book
Summer's Best Beach Reads by The New York Times * Books You Should Read This July by New York magazine * Books We're Most Excited About by Today * Best Beach Reads by Harper's Bazaar * Best Books of Summer by ELLE * Most Anticipated Books of the Summer by...

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